Photo Courtesy: World Grand Prix
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Two former Miami Dade College volleyball players and NJCAA All- Americans participated in the 2015 Volleyball World Grand Prix. Former MDC Lady Sharks Paola Ampudia and Marifranchi Rodriguez represented their countries, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Paola Ampudia helped the Colombian National Team win the bronze medal in the Group 3 Finals of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. The Colombian National Team defeated Australia 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-16) to walk away with the bronze medal. P. Ampudia played in two sets, and finished the match with 3 kills, and 2 blocks.
Marifranchi Rodriguez a member of the Dominican Republic National Team, finished 3rd on her team in the tournament with 33 spikes, 8 blocks, and 3 serves.
At MDC both Ampudia and Rodriguez had stellar careers. Paola Ampudia attended Miami Dade College from (2006-2007). While there she was a 2 time NJCAA All-American, and a 2007 1st Team AVCA All-Amercian. Ampudia finished her career as a Lady Shark as the 2007 FCCAA Player of the Year. Marifranchi Rodriguez started and finished her career on fire. As a freshman M. Rodriguez was named 1st Team NJCAA All-American, 1st Team AVCA All-Amercian, and the 2010 FCCAA Player of the Year. As a sophomore Rodriguez continued to play with a high motor finishing once again as a 1st Team NJCAA All-American, 1st Team AVCA All-Amercian, and 2011 FCCAA Player of the Year.
Both ladies continued their playing careers at the next level.
Paola Ampudia finished her collegiate career at the University of Missouri Tigers and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2010. She still holds the Mutigers records for kills in a match (35), which is also a Big 12 fourth-set record. She ranks 5th in school history with 493 kills in a single season (2010). Ampudia has played for several professional volleyball clubs such as Puerto Rico, Italy, Azerbaiyan, Polonia, Indonesia, and recently Peru.
Marifranchi Rodriguez finished her collegiate career at Miami Dade College and decided to forgo transferring to a 4yr college to play for the power house, Dominican Republic national team. M. Rodriguez also played for Peru's professional volleyball club.